Power Plugs and Sockets in Burkina Faso - Do You Need an Adapter?

In Burkina Faso, the plug types used are C and E. The voltage is 220 V with a frequency of 50Hz. On the other hand, in Puerto Rico, the plug types used are A and B. The voltage in Puerto Rico is 120 V with a frequency of 60Hz.

Type C

Type E

What are the plugs like in Burkina Faso?

In Burkina Faso, the predominant plug types are C and E. If you are coming from Puerto Rico, then your devices are of type A or B.

For this reason, you will need an adapter, as the plugs in Burkina Faso are not compatible with the devices from Puerto Rico and you will not be able to use your devices.

Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to Burkina Faso?

It is important to know that in Burkina Faso the electrical voltage is 220 V, with a frequency of 50Hz. In Puerto Rico, the electrical voltage is 120 V and the frequency is 60Hz.

Due to the large voltage difference, you will need to use a voltage converter to use your devices in Burkina Faso. However, it is important to mention that nowadays many electronic devices (such as mobile phones) are dual voltage, in which case a converter would not be necessary. In the Frequently Asked Questions section, we show you how to verify if your devices are dual voltage.

Regardless of whether you need a voltage converter or not, you need a plug adapter, because the plug types are different in Burkina Faso.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we will answer some of the most common questions asked by travelers going to Burkina Faso.

Can I charge my iPhone or Android mobile device in Burkina Faso?

If you are travelling from Puerto Rico to Burkina Faso, you will need an adapter to charge your iPhone or Android mobile device. While it is true that nowadays these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, it should be remembered that both countries have incompatible plug types, so you will need an adapter in Burkina Faso to charge your iPhone or Android.

Can I plug in my laptop charger in Burkina Faso?

If you are travelling from Puerto Rico to Burkina Faso, you will need an adapter to charge your laptop. Generally, these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, but it should be remembered that Puerto Rico and Burkina Faso have incompatible plug types, so an adapter is necessary to charge your laptop in Burkina Faso.

Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in Burkina Faso?

The truth is that you have to be careful with products like hair dryers or hair straighteners, because they are generally not dual voltage. Since the voltage difference is so great between Puerto Rico and Burkina Faso, we recommend buying a voltage adapter to be able to use your hair dryer safely in Burkina Faso.

However, since the plugs in Burkina Faso and Puerto Rico are not compatible, you will need a plug adapter to be able to use the hair straightener and hair dryer.

How do I know if my electrical device is dual voltage?

To know if your electrical device is dual voltage, you must check the label or product specifications. If the label indicates a voltage range, such as 100~240V and a frequency range like 50~60Hz, then your device is dual voltage and can be used without any problems. If your device is not dual voltage, then you will need a voltage converter to be able to use it in sockets in Burkina Faso with a different voltage than your device.

However, remember that dual voltage only affects the voltage and frequency.Since you are travelling to Burkina Faso from Puerto Rico, you will still need a plug adapter.

What happens if I connect a 120 V device to a 220 V socket without an adapter?

Under no circumstances should you attempt to connect a 120 V device from Puerto Rico to a 220 V socket in Burkina Faso without a voltage adapter. Doing this poses a great danger and the device could cause a fire. Before travelling to Burkina Faso, make sure you have a voltage adapter.

What happens if I connect a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket without an adapter?

When connecting a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket in Burkina Faso without a frequency adapter, the worst that can happen is that the device may run at a slower speed than expected. Nowadays, most devices are prepared for these small frequency differences, but in older devices, the difference may be more noticeable.